Cost of Living Comparison Between Adama and Jimma Cost of Living Comparison Between Adama and Jimma

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,078 per month in Adama vs $1,036 in Jimma, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,761 per month in Adama vs $1,427 in Jimma, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,443 per month in Adama vs $1,817 in Jimma, rent included.

Adama costs about 4% more than Jimma, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both Adama and Jimma are more affordable than the global median – Adama 19% lower, Jimma 22% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.02 ETB 483

$4.73 ETB 755

-36.15%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.39 ETB 5,651

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.97 ETB 794

Cappuccino

$1.25 ETB 199

$1.18 ETB 189

5.93%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.64 ETB 102

$0.56 ETB 89.4

14.29%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.31 ETB 50.2

$0.48 ETB 76.5

-35.42%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.98 ETB 157

$1.19 ETB 191

-17.65%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.94 ETB 469

$1.47 ETB 234

100.00%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.38 ETB 221

$1.19 ETB 191

15.97%

White Bread (500g)

$1.33 ETB 213

$0.40 ETB 63.6

232.50%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.15 ETB 343

$1.13 ETB 180

90.27%

Eggs

$2.50 ETB 399

$4.21 ETB 672

-40.62%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.94 ETB 1,109

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.03 ETB 2,241

$11.50 ETB 1,837

22.00%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.32 ETB 2,128

$11.73 ETB 1,874

13.55%

Apples (1kg)

$6.70 ETB 1,070

$2.32 ETB 371

188.79%

Banana (1kg)

$1.02 ETB 163

$1.15 ETB 184

-11.30%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.25 ETB 359

$3.53 ETB 563

-36.26%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.97 ETB 154

$0.56 ETB 90.1

73.21%

Potato (1kg)

$0.68 ETB 108

$0.60 ETB 95.1

13.33%

Onion (1kg)

$1.84 ETB 294

$3.54 ETB 566

-48.02%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.64 ETB 102

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.64 ETB 102

$0.60 ETB 96.2

6.67%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.89 ETB 622

Wine (Bottle)

$5.66 ETB 903

$6.66 ETB 1,064

-15.02%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.00 ETB 160

$1.17 ETB 187

-14.53%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.82 ETB 291

$1.48 ETB 236

22.97%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.24 ETB 38.44

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$14.06 ETB 2,246

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.50 ETB 240

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.29 ETB 46.69

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.97 ETB 315

$1.70 ETB 271

15.88%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.29 ETB 206

$1.77 ETB 282

-27.12%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$54.7K ETB 8.7M

$51.5K ETB 8.2M

6.21%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$53.5K ETB 8.5M

$57.4K ETB 9.2M

-6.85%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$158 ETB 25.3K

$62.5 ETB 9,975

153.43%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$12.11 ETB 1,934

$15.07 ETB 2,407

-19.64%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$132 ETB 21.1K

$309 ETB 49.4K

-57.32%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.15 ETB 5,454

Cinema Ticket

$5.64 ETB 900

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$81.5 ETB 13.0K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$40.5K ETB 6.5M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$47.27 ETB 7,549

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$76.1 ETB 12.2K

$93.8 ETB 15.0K

-18.88%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$92.8 ETB 14.8K

$141 ETB 22.4K

-33.94%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$116 ETB 18.6K

$118 ETB 18.8K

-1.02%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$494 ETB 78.9K

$214 ETB 34.2K

130.54%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$304 ETB 48.6K

$163 ETB 26.1K

86.47%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$988 ETB 157.7K

$429 ETB 68.5K

130.34%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$794 ETB 126.8K

$326 ETB 52.1K

143.45%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,293 ETB 366.1K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,135 ETB 181.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$101 ETB 16.2K

$224 ETB 35.8K

-54.71%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

88.89%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Adama: July 27, 2026

Last update for Jimma: July 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $494 in Adama versus $214 in Jimma. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 121% higher in Jimma, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Adama vs Jimma: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $1,078 in Adama, $1,036 in Jimma – roughly 4% apart. Adama costs more across the board, with Monthly Utilities & Internet showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,617 per month in Adama and $1,554 in Jimma. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Jimma, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,078 in Adama and $1,036 in Jimma. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 31% more in Adama, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Jimma, where all-in costs run around $1,036, than in Adama at $1,078. In Jimma it covers expenses comfortably, while in Adama it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Jimma – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Jimma. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Adama makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.